Strikeforce and M-1 Global are putting on a fight card worthy of pay-per-view Saturday night in the Chicago area, but this one is available for free on CBS. We've got a full preview and predictions of the four big fights below.
What: Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers
When: The undercard starts at 7 PM ET Saturday, and the four-fight televised card begins at 9.
Where: Sears Centre, Hoffman Estates, Illinois
How: Watch on CBS or just follow along with our live coverage here at FanHouse.
Predictions on the four televised fights:
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers
Fedor is the best fighter ever, and Rogers is inexperienced and incomplete as a fighter. That doesn't mean Rogers can't win -- he does have a 40-pound weight advantage and the kind of knockout power that makes him a threat to anyone -- but it probably means he won't win. I wouldn't be shocked if Rogers becomes the first opponent in more than three years to make it into the second round with Fedor, but I would be shocked if Rogers actually won. Pick: Fedor.
Jake Shields vs. Jason "Mayhem" Miller
This fight is for the Strikeforce middleweight belt, and it's a fight that I think has the potential to do a lot for Shields' career. Miller is funny and charismatic and has done more than his share of the hyping of this fight, but I expect Shields to beat him decisively and continue to show that he's one of the sport's most talented athletes. Pick: Shields.
Gegard Mousasi vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou
This fight should be for the Strikeforce light heavyweight belt, but for some reason Mousasi, the champion, is not defending his title in this bout. Sokoudjou has good judo skills and serious punching power, and he's a threat to upset anyone, but Mousasi is a truly elite fighter who should pull out the win. Pick: Mousasi.
Antonio Silva vs. Fabricio Werdum
This is the toughest fight on the card to pick, as Silva's powerful striking and 50-pound size advantage will match up with Werdum's world-class Brazilian jiu jitsu. It could go either way, but I like Werdum to submit the enormous Silva. Pick: Werdum.
We'll have full Strikeforce coverage on Saturday night, and you can follow all the action by following my MMA Twitter updates.
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